Maccabi Tel Aviv Receives Conditional Ban on Away Fans

UEFA Punishment for Disorderly Conduct

Maccabi Tel Aviv has been handed a suspended ban preventing its fans from attending away matches, imposed by UEFA due to “racist and/or discriminatory behavior” exhibited by supporters during last week’s Europa League clash against Stuttgart in Germany.

Financial Penalty and Previous Incidents

In addition to the fan ban, the club has been fined 20,000 euros (approximately £17,550) following the unsporting conduct of fans during the match held on December 11. Notably, Maccabi’s supporters were already barred from an away match against Aston Villa last month due to concerns about safety.

Details of the Suspension

The Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) of UEFA has stated that the ban on ticket sales for Maccabi’s next away fixture in UEFA competitions will be suspended for a period of two years, effectively placing the club under probation.

Match Overview and Group Performance

In the match against Stuttgart, Maccabi suffered a heavy defeat of 4-1, finishing with just one point from their group stage matches in the Europa League. Previously, they experienced another setback, losing 2-0 to Aston Villa, where their fans were not allowed to attend the game in Birmingham, a decision made by the local Safety Advisory Group.

Reactions from Officials

The measures taken against Maccabi Tel Aviv have drawn significant criticism, including remarks from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who described the situation as “wrong” and emphasized that antisemitism would not be tolerated.

The West Midlands Police were summoned to testify before the Home Affairs Committee regarding the rationale behind the decision to prohibit Maccabi supporters from the Aston Villa match. Committee Chair Karen Bradley has since sought further clarification from police officials and Birmingham City Council about their decision-making process.